Our journey started at the sleek Novotel Future Park hotel, just outside Bangkok, where the morning air was crisp, and the MINIs were fully charged for the day’s adventure. The route promised variety: scenic B-roads, rural highways, and a special visit to Pathumthani Speedway.

We got an exclusive sneak peek at the electrified future of MINI’s John Cooper Works line-up, including the MINI John Cooper Works Electric and MINI John Cooper Works Aceman. Being among the first in the world to test these cars felt special—but that detailed experience deserves its own story, which I’ll share at Burnpavement.com.

After pushing limits at the track, we headed to the EV Station Hub for a quick recharge, both for the cars and ourselves.

Our next stop was the charming Choc-a-bloc café, a European-inspired hidden gem in the Thai countryside. With fresh coffee and delicious cakes in hand, pausing in a spot so distinctly European yet unmistakably Thai felt surreal.

Fully caffeinated, our convoy continued towards Muak Lek reservoir, where the picturesque setting called for an impromptu photoshoot. After capturing a few rolling shots of the MINIs against the lush backdrop, we moved on to Baan Tha Rit Viewpoint.

Here, the highlight wasn’t just the sweeping views but the friendly goats eager for snacks—indeed, not a standard car launch activity, but one we all enjoyed immensely.

The day ended at Chao Baan Restaurant, where local Thai dishes awaited. Good food, great company, and easy-going conversation about the day’s highlights provided the perfect closure to our quiet yet fulfilling adventure.

Our last night was spent at The Series Resort in Khao Yai, where the cool weather—around 18°C—made us wish we could stay longer. The resort’s peaceful surroundings and comfortable ambience were exactly what we needed after a day filled with excitement.

Finally, we drove back to Bangkok to return the cars at the new One Bangkok development, making time for one last delicious Thai meal before heading back to Singapore. Driving electric through Thailand with MINI proved more relaxing and enjoyable than expected. Quiet journeys, unexpected café discoveries, goat feeding, and incredible mountain evenings were ingredients for an unforgettable road trip.

With the Countryman now taking on a more traditional SUV role, the Aceman arrives as the “replacement” for the Clubman.

This is a compact electric crossover that aims to give MINI fans a bit more space, practicality, and five-door convenience.

How New Is It, Really?

While the Aceman is a fresh nameplate in MINI’s range, it is not an entirely new car. Beneath the funky styling, it is essentially a stretched, five-door version of the Cooper Electric, with the same battery and motor options.  

Like its smaller sibling, it is available in two variants. The E pushes 148bhp and 290Nm of torque, while the SE bumps that up to 215bhp and 330Nm.

A Love-It-Or-Hate-It Design

The Aceman follows MINI’s latest ‘Charismatic Simplicity’ design philosophy. 

From certain angles, the Aceman resembles a shrunken Countryman, while in others, its square wheel arches and angular nose give it a slightly awkward stance. The familiar MINI lighting signatures remain, with three different daytime running light patterns to choose from, customisable via the infotainment system.  

MINI describes the car’s lines as “plump MINI shapes”, a phrase that is unlikely to find its way onto a marketing campaign any time soon. While the overall shape retains MINI’s charm, some may find the new edgy aesthetic less appealing than the brand’s traditionally rounded designs.

Step inside, and you will be greeted by a layout that is almost identical to the Cooper Electric and Countryman. If you have seen one new-gen MINI, you have seen them all.  

The centrepiece is the 24cm circular OLED touchscreen, which dominates the dashboard. Beneath it, there is a row of physical buttons and a large, chunky steering wheel.

Functionality remains strong, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integrated, while a ‘tool belt’ menu allows drivers to customise shortcuts for frequently used functions.

While some settings are buried in menus, the interface is responsive and well-designed, making it easier to use than many rival touchscreen systems.  

Materials are a mixed bag. The recycled textile dashboard covering adds an interesting texture to the interior, but some plastic elements let the premium feel down.

Meanwhile, the fabric strap on the steering wheel’s third spoke looks cool but does not serve much practical purpose.

Rear seat space is acceptable for a car of this size, with decent legroom and easy access thanks to the five-door layout.

However, anyone approaching 1.8-metres will find headroom slightly tight due to the car’s sloping roofline.

In terms of boot space, the Aceman offers 300 litres with the seats up and 1,005 litres with the rear seats folded. A step up from the Cooper, but still not class-leading among electric crossovers. 

Still A MINI At Heart

We tested the Aceman in SE trim, which produces 215bhp and 330Nm of torque, allowing it to rock the century sprint in 7.1 seconds. Top speed is a modest 170km/h.

Surprisingly, even the Aceman SE does not feel as sprightly as some other EVs off the line, despite having a power advantage over the base model. Even in its sportiest ‘Go-Kart’ mode, it does not shove you into the seat the way some electric cars do.

It is also not particularly light, tipping the scales at 1,785kg. As a result, joining highways requires a bit of patience, as acceleration is not as instantaneous as you might expect from an electric MINI.   

What MINI fans will appreciate is that the Aceman handles well, despite the extra weight. It corners with precision, resisting understeer admirably thanks to its low battery placement. The steering is direct, though in Go-Kart mode, it can feel artificially heavy.  

That said, ride comfort is firm; something we have come to expect from modern MINIs. The suspension struggles to absorb imperfections, and bumpy roads unsettle the car more than they should. 

MINI claims a WLTP range of 407km for the SE model. However, in our real-world testing, the Aceman only managed 17.4kWh/100km, translating to a real-world range of around 311km, significantly lower than the official figure.

Charging speeds are respectable but not groundbreaking. The E model supports 70kW DC fast charging, while the SE can handle up to 95kW, meaning a 10-80% charge takes around 30 minutes.

A Crossover For MINI Loyalists  

For buyers already considering the Cooper, the MINI Aceman makes a strong case for itself. It offers more space, five doors, and a bigger boot. The interior is identical, so if you already like the Cooper’s cabin, you will feel right at home here.

However, the firm ride, slightly sluggish acceleration (even in SE trim), and real-world range limitations may put off some buyers. It does not drive as sweetly as a Cooper, nor does it offer the same level of cuteness that makes the three-door hatch so appealing.

That being said, the Aceman will likely attract Cooper customers looking for a bit more space, and in that regard, it does its job well.

Technical Specifications

MINI Aceman SE

Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 160 kW (215 bhp)
Torque: 330 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 7.1 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 170 km/h
Battery Capacity: 54.2 kWh
Drive Range: 407 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 15.1 kWh/100km (claimed)

Price: S$240,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: MINI Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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Combining the brand’s compact footprint with the ruggedness of a crossover, the Aceman introduces an all-electric platform to Singapore’s streets.

As Daren Ching, Head of MINI Asia, put it, “The Aceman is our vision of urban adventure, bold, distinctive, and, of course, fun to drive.”

At just over four meters long, the Aceman sits between the MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman in terms of size.

From the wide, octagonal grille with vibrant silver accents to its angular LED headlights, every inch of this car is designed to stand out.

MINI’s famous “Clever Use of Space” principle shines here, with a roomy interior that seats five comfortably. The body design is streamlined, with flush door handles and a slick two-box structure that enhances aerodynamics.

Stepping inside the Aceman, you’re greeted with MINI’s “Charismatic Simplicity” design ethos. The cockpit is pared down, focusing on the essentials while keeping a sense of fun. 

Think of it as a modern nod to MINI’s heritage, with familiar features like the central OLED display and the iconic toggle bar. This time, though, the toggle bar handles everything from start/stop to volume control, creating a clean, clutter-free environment.

There’s ample shoulder room, leg space, and even a warm, ambient lighting that adjusts to your mood. The dashboard’s knitted fabric with recycled polyester extends into the door panels, giving the interior a cosy, homey feel.

The seats are made from Vescin, a high-quality material with perforations for added comfort, offering just the right mix of luxury and practicality.

The rear seats fold down in a 60:40 split, expanding the boot space from 300 litres to 1,005 litres.

The MINI Experience Modes are designed to elevate the driving experience with ambient lighting and sound settings that bring the interior to life. With modes like Go-Kart, Core, and Personal, each setting changes the vibe entirely.

The Experience Modes aren’t just visual either. Thanks to projectors that illuminate the dashboard, each mode offers a different light show across the car’s interior, making every drive feel a bit more immersive.

In Personal mode, you can even upload a photo from your phone as a background, with the colours projected throughout the car.

The Aceman is offered in two electric models: the Aceman E and Aceman SE. The Aceman E delivers 110 kW and can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds, with a top speed of 160 km/h.

If you’re after a bit more punch, the SE model steps it up with 160 kW, hitting 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and topping out at 170 km/h.

Range-wise, the Aceman E offers up to 310 km on a full charge, while the SE stretches that to 407 km. With 95 kW DC fast-charging capability in the SE, you can go from 10% to 80% in just under 30 minutes.

Safety in the Aceman is comprehensive. It comes equipped with Driving Assistant, which offers steering and lane assistance, making city driving more manageable. Surround View cameras and ultrasonic sensors detect nearby objects, making parking a breeze.

Check out the new MINI Aceman in the revamped MINI Habitat today.

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